5.8. Gender, Media, Information Communication and Technology It is widely acknowledged that media has an important role to play in influencing policies and attitudes towards equality between men and women. It is further acknowledged that this ideal can be achieved when women and men are equally contributing as news sources. Zimbabwe has committed itself to taking measures to promote the equal access to media, ICTs, representation of women in ownership of, and decision making structures of the media through policies and dialogue. Without policies to target women it remains difficult for the country to attain the SADC Gender Protocol target of equal representation by 2015 and to influence equality in media. Policy Objective: To promote equal access to, control and ownership of, media and ICTs by men and women to enhance development across all sectors. Policy Strategies i. Advocate for a more gender sensitive and inclusive media environment to achieve equity of employment in media, equity in media entrepreneurship and media houses ownership. ii. Promote equal representation and participation of women in decision making structures of media houses. iii. Integrate gender perspectives into implementation of ICT policies, legal provisions and programmes. iv. Develop programmes aimed at education and training on a variety of ICTs with special emphasis on enhancing access to, and effective application of, ICTs by women entrepreneurs in marginalised areas. v. Strengthen the role of media in responsible reporting that is consistent with protecting human dignity of women and girls, promoting balanced portrayals of women and men in media, upholding gender equity principles and protecting the right to information. vi. Promote the establishment of community media houses including use of radio, print and television. 6.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NGP The Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development has overall responsibility towards implementing this policy. The strategies set out in the policy cut across all sectors and hence requires a multi sectoral collaboration for successful implementation. This policy and its provisions do not replace institutional policies or strategies within other institutions that contribute to gender justice. Rather the NGP provides a comprehensive framework for action and seeks to enhance value and effectiveness of the various actors in addressing gender inequality. 20